Projects The bucket of ugly! A de-uglifying thread...

28" is a short tire in the world of big n littles. 30" is perfect, that is why Garys T is so perfect

 

The 235/75/15 is 28.9". I'm hoping for my build that 1.1" won't matter. We'll see.

 

I do not mind that size but like the 30s best, we need a skinny radial size which we have but they are HD van and truck tires. I have seen some good treads and profiles, there is a great thread in the archives about this type of tire

 

I'm going with a stretched body, so hopefully, by my car sitting a little lower the scale/profile will make the rear tires appear to be taller than they really are. At least that's the plan. What I do know for sure, is that I don't want a rake that's too high in the rear.

 

Here's a T Bucket with a CCR stretched body, like I'll be using. The front tires are 195/60/15 (24.2"). The rears are 275/60/15 (28"). That's difference of 3.8". Notice how subtle the rake is? That's what I'm looking for. My tires are 165/80/15 (25.4") and 235/75/15 (28.9"). a difference of 3.5". I'm hoping my frame and body sit a little lower in the rear. If it does, I think I'm well into the ball park, profile wise.

 

Well the shirts can stay back in the late '60's early '70's and I remember having to wear frills and bow tie as best man to my mates wedding, oh so cool back then too. As for Andy's T that won the 9' trophy, the rest of the cars must of been shit that year as the only thing I like about it is the small Vee belt drive for the blower but then the blower should of been another brand instead of the 671 so I will leave it at that thanks.

 

My 16" Excelcior Stahl sport radials are
5.00x16. (25") and 7.00x16 (29.10")

I think they will be perfect.

 

'bout 4" difference in these tires,

 

Got my tires and they're mounted on wheels, ready to go. But.... my land lord has a couple cars blocking my car in, so it'll be a while before I can mount them on my car. I can wait. The rear tires cost me a tad more than what I wanted to pay for used, but for some reason the size I wanted was scarce. Most places didn't have them and one place that did, only had one.

I had just about given up and was heading home, trying to figure what two new ones would set me back. Then, out the corner of my eye, I spotted a mechanic shop, with a home made "Used Tires for Sale" sign. I slammed on the brakes, literally, and whipped in. I told the guy what I wanted and he said I was lucky. He not only had two, but they matched and had a great amount of thread on them. SOLD!

I had gotten the two front tires from Discount Tire and had them mount them. Amazingly, they balanced with no weights needed. I was watching and the guy ran it twice with the same results. Sweet. The rears required a "normal" amount of weight, which doesn't bother me. But with that, I hate the look of weights on a custom wheel. Even the thin stick on type. So, the beauty rings will serve another purpose other than looking pretty. They'll cover those gray weights!

All in all, it was a nice morning. I can't believe I'll have a roller soon. I seriously need the motivation and having my project in roller status will have me feeling good.

 

Fred,how about a update photo? HRP

 

It'll be after my land lord moves his paying customers out of the way for a shot with the tires, but here's where she is now. Right now, the tires are sitting in my daily.... calling my name.

 

Yeah Fred 235s aren't common. I need one more WW for the back of my Plymouth. Have 205X70X15 on the front. They actually look good with the 225s on the rear but the 235 will look radical. I like radical. Tire Rack .com has 235X75X15s for under a hundred. Haven't checked what tax and shipping will cost though. I think they will look nice/roght on the back of your roadster with the beauty rings.

 

When I saw them mounted on the wheels, I knew I'd made the right choice. Nice tread pattern, too. That's also when I realized that changing my mind and going with the rings will be a good decision. I should be able to get the rings in a couple weeks.

 

And the 235's are nowhere near the actual size they used to be; use to buy 235x75x15 Michelin X tires for the rear and they were BIG and had pretty clean sidewalls, none of the writing they mold into the sidewalls of tires today. 235 Michelin X rears and 165SR15 XZY fronts made a good combo if you wanted radials. One of my '33s in the past; not a "T" bucket; but used the same set up on some of them too.

 

Roller!

 

Damn, Fred, that really looks the Berries.
When I picked my tires for my T I had tire heights in mind and got very close to what I wanted but a main factor was to be able to get a replacement tire quickly if needed. In NZ we don't have the range you guys have but im happy. JW

 

Thanks! I meant to get a side shot, so the profile could be seen. But I forgot. Weather permitting, I'll roll her outside into the sun for better pics tomorrow. I'm very pleased with the results.

 

I bet you are pleased and with good cause. JW

 

Nice Fred. I like the subtle red touches.

 

Got off work and rolled her into the sunlight.









I've got a sweet rear end cover planned, so ignore the crusty OEM piece.



Beauty rings will hopefully be in a few weeks or less. The center caps, bullet lug nuts and soon, beauty rings, are what moved me from a "competition" theme.

 

On a side note. Remember the spacers I made to lower my tie rod? I got the idea from T-Rod. He made his 1.25". Well, I made mine .625" and they seemed to clear. Today, when I was taking the above pics, I noticed some paint scrapped off my tie rod. The tie rod was rubbing on the edge of a spring shackle. So.... I found some tubing I had left over and I'm going to make mine 1.25". Like I should have done in the beginning!

Here the pic of one of my short spacers. They cleared, but not when the wheels are at a full turn. I'll pull the tie rod and do a little repair and paint, then install the new spacers, later this week.

 

Well Fred... that is a work of automotive art, vision and execution. JW

 

You did a heck of a job there Fred. Looks beautiful. Bob...............

 

Cut and painted a new pair of spacers the other night for my tie rod and will install them tonight. They're 1.250", like they should have been in the beginning. When I was at Loew's getting longer bolts, I noticed some spacers that are 1.5" and coated a nice shiny zinc. I thought of using them instead, after cutting them down, but I'm not sure how long the shiny would last. Any thoughts on how long they'd stay that way? Maybe apply a clear coat?

Oh..... I finally painted the rear end cover. Looking at that rusty cover finally got to me. It'll still get a nice cover latter.

 

Looks great, Fred

 

Glad to see the progress, Fred!
Zinc doesn't last out in sunlight and moisture.
Clear coat doesn't stay clear.
Best to do like The Stones say and Paint It Black, especially when the rest is already done that way.
Heck, I'd go back and hit all the cotter pins too when it's all buttoned up if everything else is Black.
Any shiny metal means check me now that way...

 

Thanks. I was afraid that was going to be the answer. I guess I'll use the one's I painted and toss the zinc ones in the "just in case" drawer.

 

You know Fred I like what your doing. Love the drop on the front axle and I never thought I would say this but I even like your big. in your face, no apology disk brakes. I hate those little go cart front brakes.
I see what you are building now. A no nonsense "driver".

Gary

 

Just finished the spacer swap. Plenty of clearance and scrub line looks good. I like working at night, so I can jam my tunes and it's a little cooler temp. wise. If you can consider 85 degrees cool. My day off is tomorrow and I remembered that O'Reilly auto parts has beauty rings for $12.99 each. Think I'll check them out.